Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has sought the death penalty for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.

He made the plea on Thursday before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 after concluding his arguments in the case.

The Chief Prosecutor also sought the death penalty for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, another accused in the same case.

Besides Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has been named as the third accused. Mamun gave a confessional statement as an approver, admitting his involvement in the incident.

Tajul told the tribunal that they believe the former IGP has disclosed the full truth about the events in his statement. He added that it is up to the tribunal to decide on his fate.

As both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain absconding, state-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain sought one week to prepare for presenting arguments on their behalf.

The tribunal instructed the state defence counsel to begin his arguments from next Monday.

The trial is being conducted by the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmood and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.